Vines Give Almost Any Garden Color and Coverage

Do you have a spot in the garden that calls for a vine? Practically every
garden does! At least a dozen or more types and varieties of vines merit
consideration for use in the landscape. Some vines have evergreen leaves,
while others are deciduous.

Here in the Northwest, the flowering vines are particularly popular trellises,
arbors, downspouts, carport posts, pillars, old tree stumps and retaining
walls. Vines can also be used in trees as a means of providing additional
garden color. In fact, almost every garden has at least one area where a
vine can be effectively used to provide color or privacy. Here are a dozen
of the best vines to use in the Northwest landscape:

CLEMATIS - The deciduous varieties come in a broad range
of flower colors and color combinations. Undoubtedly clematis are the most
popular flowering vines for the Northwest garden. The evergreen variety Armandi
has white flowers. Clematis need shade around the base of the plants-to keep
the root zone cool. Evergreens or perennials can be used to provide the shade.

WISTERIA - Here's another outstanding deciduous vine. The blue flowering
varieties are the most popular. They need heavy pruning of secondary growth
in February. Give this sturdy grower plenty of room.

VIRGINIA CREEPER - This attractive deciduous vine has suction cup-like
disks at the end of their tendrils. A prolific growing vine with nice autumn
leaf color.

BOSTON IVY -Similar in growing habit to the Virginia Creeper and of
the same family, but the leaf texture is bolder. Bright autumn leaf color.
Deciduous, robust growing vine.

CLIMBING HYDRANGEA - Many people are not familiar with this vine,
but it grows and flowers very well in the Pacific Northwest. Flowers are
white. Grows in a semi-shady part of the garden. Robust deciduous vine.

HONEYSUCKLE - One of the most popular fragrant vines. Grows in full
or part sun. Several varieties are popular here. Deciduous vine with flowers
that vary in shades or combinations of colors including white, yellow, pink
and red. Fast growing and needs yearly pruning to maintain good shape.

PASSION VINE - Most frequent variety grown here is Passiflora
alatocaerulea. Unusual flowers are fragrant and in shades of lavender, purple,
pink and white with a tinge of green. Grow this one in fait *Miller good
drainage. Mulch the base of the vines with straw over winter.

AKEBIA QUINATA - Small, delicate leaves in clusters of five. Spring
flowers are purplish, sometimes followed by edible fruit. Grows in full or
part sun. Deciduous.

GRAPES - A very popular vine in the home garden. This prolific deciduous
vine thrives on considerable neglect. Of course, the edible fruits provide
a great bonus. Bold leaves provide a nice texture in the garden.

IVY - The English ivy has evergreen foliage. Although this is most
often used as a ground cover, it can also be used as a vine on a fireplace,
retaining wall, etc. Other varieties can be used as vines too.

FATSHEDERA - A popular bold leaf vine for the shaded garden. This
plant needs support as it grows. Plant in well-drained soil, in .a protected
area.

Upright vaieties of both cotoneasters and firethorns are often trained and
used in places where vines might otherwise be used. Both of these evergreen
plants do very well in full sun or part sun and shade.

Sweet peas, Scarlet runner beans, Black-eyed Susan vine and annual morning
glory vines are among the most popular seasonal vines. (Bindweed is the nuisance
morning glory vine. Do not use it.)

The best time to prune spring flowering vines is immediately after they finish
flowering. Summer flowering vines are pruned in the late winter or earliest
springy.

Fertilize vines in late February or early March. Use a rose-' type fertilizer
to feed deciduous vines and a rhododendron-type fertilizer to feed evergreen
vines.

Vines can be planted at almost any time throughout the year. Today with the
advent of container-grown nursery stock, almost all vines are grown in pots.
Prepare the soil by mixing generous quantities of peat moss, compost (if
available) arid processed manure with your existing soil.